Toh 615The Dhāraṇī, Reliance upon Many Sons
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bahuputrapratisaraṇadhāraṇī
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An Exposition of the Bahuputrapratisaraṇadhāraṇī
Background
The Bahuputrapratisaraṇadhāraṇī (The Dhāraṇī of Reliance upon Many Princes) is a tantric scripture in the Kangyur, the oldest collection of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. In the Vajrayāna tradition, it is one of the important methods of protection and shelter, combining the power of many bodhisattvas and deities to guard those who practice it.
This scripture reflects a central feature of tantra: the use of deities (devatā) and the Buddhas and bodhisattvas as forces of spiritual protection, activated through esoteric utterances and potent formulas of words and syllables (dhāraṇī). Unlike the general body of Buddhist teachings, which ordinarily teaches methods for one’s own diligent effort, tantra acknowledges that, by relying upon the aspirational power of holy beings, we may directly receive protection and blessings.
Main Content
The scripture teaches that protective power does not reside in a single person or bodhisattva but is concentrated within a network of countless spiritual princes—the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and protectors of the Dharma. Here, the word “prince” (putra) has a broad meaning, referring to those who have inherited the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion, the spiritual children of the Tathagata.
The scripture centers on dhāraṇīs—sacred formulas containing the principle of absolute protection. Dhāraṇīs are not ordinary prayers but sacred sounds capable of permeating reality and directly affecting its mental and material levels. When practitioners cultivate these esoteric utterances with single-pointed minds, they enter into resonance with the entire assembly of holy beings, forming a protective shield against obstacles and evil.
The scripture’s specific content chiefly explains the form and meaning of the dhāraṇīs it provides and gives instructions on how to practice them effectively.
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